Thinking about investing into a future as a professional pet groomer? Believe it or not, you have to be a specific type of person to be successful as a professional pet groomer. It takes dedication, hard work, and focus to become successful at anything. But even more for pet groomers, they have to be passionate about what they do. Before investing into pet grooming courses, find out if you are the type of person qualified to eventually become a professional in the industry.
The Physical Capabilities a Pet Groomer Needs
Although pet grooming may seem like a job most people could accomplish with ease, it’s not. There are some physical demands the job requires. You’ll need to be able to assist dogs that weigh close to 100 pounds, as well as be able to bend over to assist small animals. Other than bending and lifting, your body should react well to animals on a biological level. Those with allergies to cats or dogs may not find themselves happy or healthy after choosing a career as a pet groomer.
Communicative Capabilities a Pet Groomer Needs
While animals cannot speak our language, their guardians can. The pets won’t be the one to pay your bills, the clients will. For this reason, professional pet groomers should have adequate communication skills. You will need to effectively communicate pricing, the grooming process, and any noticeable health issues a pet may need to be cared for by a veterinarian. Also, communication with the client allows you as a groomer to produce the haircut that fits the customer’s expectations best.
The Capability of Versatility a Pet Groomer Needs
Not all dogs are the same, nor are their needs. There will undoubtedly be a moment in time when you are grooming a pet and something unexpected comes up, forcing you to come up with an alternative solution to a problem. Whether it be a different haircut, shampoo, or handling of the pet, you’ll need to utilize the skill of versatility and adaptation to offer a different plan for the pet that requires your services. If you can’t be versatile, you will likely become overwhelmed with problems that need to be solved in other ways than you are accustomed to.
The Empathy and Love for Animals a Pet Groomer Needs
Sure, most of the pets that are going to come through the doors of a pet grooming business will be well behaved and used to the experience of a groom. But, there will obviously be a pet every now and again that is fearful, aggressive, or just downright uncooperative. Your love and empathy for animals must overcome the cons of a less than well-behaved animal. If you don’t have an understanding for dogs and cats, they will not feel comfortable enough in your presence to enjoy the experience of their groom. If you are not confident around animals enough to deal with the occasional challenging experience, you will most likely have a challenging time as a professional pet groomer.
The Grooming Courses a Pet Groomer Needs
Currently, not all states require pet groomers to gain certification, but those who do set themselves up for a successful career. If you think that you have the qualifications listed above, then your best chance to become successful as a pet groomer is to invest your time in grooming courses. This is where you will gain the necessary training, experience, and knowledge you will need to start a business or get hired right away. Ready to get learning today? Consider the only nationally accredited pet grooming school in the U.S. that offers federal funding to qualifying students, Merryfield Academy in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Want to hear more about our grooming courses? Give us a call today at (954) 771-4030 for a free consultation and more information on grooming courses that can put you on the right path to becoming a professional pet groomer!
